The Best Laser Scope

In the world of shooting, speed and accuracy are everything. Whether the shooter is military, law enforcement, competitive, or an ordinary civilian defending life or property, it's always important to hit the target--and nothing else. Laser scopes offer huge advantages over traditional iron sights, and they're one of the most useful modifications that you can make to your rifle, shotgun, or handgun.

What to Look for When Shopping for Laser Scopes

With such a vast selection of optics and aiming devices available on the market, choosing one for your unique needs can be quite difficult--especially if you've never used one before. Here are some important factors to consider before purchasing a laser scope.

Magnification

The purpose of a scope is to make it easier to view and aim at something so that shots can be placed on target. Some scopes do not have any magnification, and anything that you see through them will look the same as it does through your own eyes. These types of scopes are built for speed and best suited for close quarters shooting. Some scopes offer a single zoom setting, and these are meant for shooting at long distance. However, there are also scopes that provide the user with two or more magnifications. Those types of optics are designed to be versatile and give shooters the ability to adapt to many situations.

Laser Color

When most people think about a laser, red often comes to mind. This is what you see on TV and in the movies most of the time. However, green lasers are on the rise.

Traditional red lasers still reign supreme for real-world use. In addition to being easy to see, red lasers won't give away your position because the beam is virtually invisible. Red laser technology has been around for a while, and you can buy a good one without breaking your bank.

Green lasers are the new kids on the block. The human eye picks them up even more quickly than the red, and they may even be suitable for use outdoors in the shining sun. At night, the entire beam of a quality green laser can be seen for miles. However, green lasers can give away your position and lead the bad guy right to you or scare off a prize buck. They're also much more expensive to manufacture and tend to have lower battery life.

Battery Life

You never want to have a laser scope die on you during a critical moment. Battery life is a very important consideration for any buyer. Those using their firearms for defensive purposes will desire a very long battery life so that the scope can be left on at all times. Some scopes can last several years without being turned off on a single battery. Recreational shooters may not need that type of duration since they only use their optics for target practice or during a hunt. Generally, non-magnified scopes will have longer battery life than magnified scopes.

Size and Weight

Size matters. A larger scope takes up more space on your firearm leaving you with less space to add other accessories such as a bipod, flashlight, vertical fore grip, or back-up sights. At the same time, a larger optic weighs more and makes shooting and carrying around your entire set-up more exhausting. Long distance laser scopes are typically more massive than close-range ones, but depending on what you need, you might just have to deal with the heft. When comparable scopes are very similar in size, lighter is usually better.

Durability

When you buy a high-quality product, you expect it to last. What material is the body of the scope made from--polymer or aluminum? Is the scope waterproof? Is the battery compartment sealed with an o-ring? Are there shock-absorbing springs in the battery compartment? Is it manufactured by a reputable company? All of these factors and more affect durability and reliability.

Power Options

Laser scopes can be powered by several major methods. Most are powered by battery and are referred to as electronic scopes. Others are powered using fiber optics that collect ambient light. Newer to the market are scopes powered using solar cells. Of course, you'll also see manufacturers implement a combination of these in their laser scopes. Each one definitely has its pros and cons.

Electronic scopes must be turned on and off. This can prove to be disadvantageous during a critical moment when speed is required. These scopes can also run out of battery when you least expect it. On the plus side, electronic scopes tend to have the brightest reticles, and some even offer various brightness settings.

Laser scopes that employ fiber optics or solar cells stay on all the time. With these, you won't ever have to worry about the battery running out. Unfortunately, their reticles can become quite dim and wash out in dark settings when there isn't enough light around. This can make it very difficult to aim when you're in a bad situation.

Cost

Spending a little more on a well-made laser scope is a good idea, but there comes a point when you end up paying more than what you get. This is the law of diminishing returns. Some high-end scopes cost thousands of dollars. But how much better is the $1,500 scope than the $500 scope or the $50 scope? The differences in quality scopes can be very small, and it could take a professional to really take advantage of the slight edge that one has over another. At the end of the day, as long as a scope does what you need it to do, it serves its purpose.

Aesthetics

Let's be real. A lot of people care about how their things look regardless of how they function. A laser scope that works well might not be everything that you want in a scope. Function might be the most important aspect, but it's not the only reason people buy things. Cool factor is real. If you simply can't stand the sight of the scope on your gun, you won't enjoy shooting it. Buy something that works well and makes you feel good at the same time.

Added Features

Having options is never a bad thing. Scopes that offer features such as multiple brightness settings, laser colors and strobe options, night vision settings, multiple reticle styles, a quick-detach mount, or even glare-resistant lens covers give you the ability to adapt to your circumstances. The one downside of a laser scope with too many features is that it might be slower to activate because you have to remember which buttons do what and where they're located.

Laser Scope Recommendations

Best High-End: Eotech 552 Holographic Sight with Laser Battery Cap and Kinetic Development Group Mount

Used by militaries and law enforcement groups from all around the globe, the Eotech is one of the toughest and most dependable non-magnified scopes around. If it's good enough for top-tier special forces operators, it's good enough for you.

Best Budget: Pinty 3-in-1 4-12x50 Tactical Riflescope Combo

With this package, you get a long range scope with a bunch of reticle options and colors, two visible laser colors, a reflex sight, several mounts and more. The Pinty Tactical Scope Combo is by far the best bang for your buck if you just have to have everything.

Best Overall: Eotech 552 Holographic Sight with Laser Battery Cap and Kinetic Development Group Mount

Well-known, well-made, and suitable for just about every use within a few hundred meters, the Eotech 552 package will last you a lifetime. It's on the pricier end of the spectrum but well worth the money. Buy once, cry once.
There's a lot to consider when you're looking to buy a laser scope. The suggestions above should help you to narrow down your choices. In the end, only you can decide what you truly want in a laser scope.

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This page about Laser Scope was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-12-22 08:26:38 and has been viewed 4784 times.